This is the game students mark on their calendars when basketball season starts, it’s the Metro Series Showdown between the Golden Grizzlies and the Detroit Mercy Titans. Let’s set the scene; the iconic Calihan Hall packed to the brim with Detroit Mercy and Oakland University fans going at it as their beloved teams duke it out on the floor.

It was a three point shooting contest to start the game as Corey Allen from Detroit Mercy and Kendrick Nunn from Oakland went back and forth in the opening minutes. It was a highly contested battle and both teams were giving it their all. At the 10 minute mark in the first half, The Black and Gold were on top by a score of 26-19. Nunn led Oakland in scoring with 11, but Jalen Hayes was right there with nine of his own.

Detroit Mercy continued to leave Nunn open and he continued to deliver for the Golden Grizzlies. At the half, Nunn had an outstanding 19 points and was running the Titans all over the court. Isaiah Brock was again having another great night defensively with six rebounds and three blocks. Hayes and Martez Walker were putting up solid offensive numbers as well with 13 and 11 points. The score going into halftime was a lopsided one with the Golden Grizzlies on top 50-29. If Detroit Mercy wanted to get back into this one they would have to make some huge adjustments in the locker room.

Detroit Mercy showed some signs of life to start the half, but Nunn and the rest of team 51 shut them right down. Nunn just kept on scoring and he was having a career night. The Black and Gold were playing their best game of the season defensively and Brock was leading the way. With ten minutes gone in the second half, Oakland was up 73-54.

Detroit Mercy gave Oakland one final run that had all the fans on their feet. It was to no avail as The Golden Grizzlies coasted to the finish and put away their cross town rivals, the Detroit Mercy Titans 92-86. Nunn led Oakland in scoring with a career high 38 points. Hayes had 17 and Walker had 18. Brock was masterful down low with 12 rebounds, five blocks and seven points.

Head Coach Greg Kampe was very pleased with his teams play and this win marks four in a row in the Horizon League.

“Any win is good, any win on the road is great, any win over Detroit is the greatest thing that can happen to me,” he said.

When Nunn was asked on what it felt like to be in such a groove, he did nothing but praise his teammates.

“It feels good, I rely a lot on my teammates, they give me open shots and I get them going as well,” he said.

After this big win on the road, the Golden Grizzlies look to avenge their losses against Northern Kentucky and Wright State next weekend.